Community Hero 2007
Paul J. Lewis
Three-year-old Paul loves cheese pizza and popsicles that drip down the front of his overalls. Hot dogs and corn dogs also rank high on his list of much-preferred foods. Paul enjoys hanging out with his favorite canine companion, Buck, and has a special fondness for all kinds of trains, including model trains and steam trains. He’s always ready to play football or spend time with his siblings and cousin.
Frequent hospital visits and numerous treatments, coupled with constant testing, poking, and prodding, have all but monopolized Paul’s young life. Living with myelofibrosis, a chronic disease of the bone marrow that’s extremely rare in children, makes Paul very vulnerable to infectious diseases. That means he can’t go outside as often as other kids.
Yet these hardships haven’t dulled Paul’s strong character or good nature – lending credence to the fact that heroes really do come in all shapes and sizes. “He never stops fighting and never gives up,” says his mother, Xue. His fantastic sense of humor is revealed in the way he constantly jokes with the hospital nurses. For Paul, letting his illness get him down is not an option.
